Cullacott is a Grade I listed 15th century medieval hall house built of granite, cob and stone, set in a cobbled courtyard on a small working farm. The house has been described as "the most important surviving medieval house in Cornwall". A complete building development history from the 1400's is available.
Set on the Cornwall and Devon border it was originally part of the huge swathes of land owned by Tavistock Abbey, Devon. After the dissolution of the monastries in 1539, it was given with other properties, to John Russell, who became the Duke of Bedford. Some properties, including Cullacott, were sold on and by 1620 were owned by Francis Drake, a nephew of Sir Francis Drake.
The 'New' wing, built in 1579, at the time of the great Elizabethan re-build, provided grander accommodation for the evolving needs of the family of the day. It provided a retiring parlour, bed chambers and the ultimate in sanitation at the time - a garderobe. The property has evolved through the centuries with little alteration leaving an almost complete medieval house.
A feature of the property is the Great Hall, with the remains of what once were magnificent murals (circa 1485 - 1525) - a fictive tapestry together with Henry VII/VIIIs coat of arms, a representation of St George and the Dragon and a figure thought to be St James of Compostela.
After storm damage, and with the support of English Heritage, the property was restored in 1997 to provide two self catering holiday lets. The restoration of the property jointly won the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors' National Building Conservation Award for best restored house.